The Resignation Blues DENR Managers’ Forum August 22, 2007 Francine Durso, PE Soon-to-be-Former Deputy Director NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund

The CWMTF Story Irreplaceable employees leaving Interim Executive Director New Executive Director Great Temporary Solutions staff leaving All since December 2006!

Remaining Staff – Morale Remaining staff must feel the situation is at least manageable in the short term, if not stable They are looking for leadership Monitor their morale – take as much time as you need to know them and their concerns

Remaining Staff – Morale Let them vent Situation can bring staff together or cause infighting Acknowledge that it’s a difficult situation and that we’re all in it together Who else may be thinking of leaving and why?

Remaining Staff – Workload Assess what tasks must be done vs. what would normally be done Be realistic about who can do what and how much can be accomplished Acknowledge that it’s going to take longer to get things done In a crisis mode and reduced to doing what it takes to keep program functioning

Remaining Staff – Workload Not the time to take on new projects Keep staff working and productive – not panicking and distracted Acknowledge the difficult situation but stress that we are here to do a job Call Temporary Solutions!

Taking Care of Yourself You need to vent Engage your own support network when you are the one providing the leadership Monitor your own morale and understand its impact on remaining staff Make sure you are not taking on all the additional work yourself

Look for the Opportunities Move existing staff into acting roles May not have exact training but if smart and a team player, they can learn the details Chance for staff to show they can handle more responsibility and take on new role Chance for staff to be promoted Bring in interim staff to cover long-term absences

Look for the Opportunities Chance to consider/reconsider: –Positions and job descriptions –Combining some jobs –Is the right person in the right position –Reorganization –Need for new positions

In Better Times Clear understanding of each position’s roles Have roles been changed to suit the person in the position? –Does that work well or cause problems Cross-training at least on a few critical items